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Mayhem in the city of lights
July 29, 2011
Mayhem, chaos and assassinations in the name of ethnicity and behind the veil of political affiliations have become the norm of day in the once known as the city of lights. It is saddening that now even common citizens are not safe from these elements. The recent massacre has taken more than 200 innocent lives. Lawlessness has prevailed in the metropolitan, which is financial capital of Pakistan and its biggest port city. It accounts for the lions share in the GDP of the country and generates around 65% of the total national revenue.
A recent report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that 1,138 people were killed in Karachi in the first six months of 2011, of whom 490 were victims of political, ethnic and sectarian violence. These stats are staggering if taken from the view point of civilized and cultured societies, but the situation in our country is an aberration. Killing sprees and violence has become a routine affair and peace for a longer tenure would be seen from skepticism in our country in the contemporary times. Who is to be blamed for this bloodshed, where majority of those slain were innocent citizens? The ANP, MQM or the PPP or all of them deserve censure? However, there lies an important question as to when will this chaos end? Mere declaration of curfew, shoot at sight orders, and the deployment of rangers and the paramilitary or in bleaker scenario the use of army had not serve the purpose.
These are just reactionary measures and there seems to be no realization in our authorities regarding the importance of preemptive measures and precautions. Moreover, have the aforementioned measures being successful in curbing the violence? These are questions which are raised even in layman’s mind. But we live in a place where inquiry committees, investigations are ample, yet we have never seen anyone prosecuted and convicted for these crimes.
As the recent turbulence has occurred right after MQM parted ways with the government, some analysts allege that it is done solely to chasten MQM. Though some argue, it might be an agitation measure taken by the Rabita Committee as the recent promulgation of commissionerate system has also become a cause for dissent among the PPP and ANP on one side, the later welcoming the decision with plans to follow in the PPP’s footstep in KPK, while MQM on the other side.
Convulsion in the Quaid’s city is the outcome of the malign elements and criminals working under the protection of political parties for the sake of enhancing their influence in the Sindh provincial capital. To nip the evil in the bud, impartial efforts are needed to eradicate the city from all illegal arms. Youngsters who are lured by the political parties for these activities must be stopped. It is the responsibility of the state to provide them with decent opportunities so to better shield against such temptations. That leads to detrimental and unrepentant behavior in the long run on the part of these youth playing the game of death and misery.
Nonetheless, at the moment progress in the metropolitan is only possible through a concerted effort by the trio of ruling parties. Otherwise, the situation will remain grim and the lives of ordinary citizens and livelihood will continue to be affected by a stalemate. Sectarian and ethnic violence with the aid of political support must be curbed for effective functioning of the state machinery.
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